Ore-concentrating machine



N. A. STRATTON.

ORE CONCENTRATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.9. 1919.

lmvnted J 11110 10, 1919.

3 SHEEYS-SHEET I.

N. A. STRATTON.

ORE CONCENTRATING MACHlNE.

A APPLICATION FILED APR-9. 1919.

Patented June 10, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

N. A. STRATTON.

ORECONCENTRATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9. 1919.

1,306,450. Patented June 10, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED sra'rns 1M1 OFFICE.

NATHANIEL A. STRATTON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO NEW AMERICAN ORE CON CENTRATOR COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

ORE-CONCENTBATING MACHINE.

Application filed April 9, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NATHANIEL A. STRAT- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in'the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Ore-Concentrating Machines, of which the following is a speci fication.

This invention relates to machines for concentrating ores, and has for its object to provide for the separation of the rock or non-metallic portions of the ores from the metallic portions, and the separation of the metallic portions into grades, in accordance with their specific gravities, and the assemblage of the separated portions separated from each other at convenient points for connection and removal,

The invention is embodied in the improvements which I will now proceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,-

Figure l is aside elevation of a machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view looking/toward one end of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end view looking toward the opposite end of the machine.

Figs. 1 and 5 are perspective views of two of the inclined tables hereinafter described.

Fig. 6 is a section on line,66 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevation partly in section, showing portions of the machine hereinafter described.

Fig. 8 is a section on line 88 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the feeding pan hereinafter described.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section through the series of inclined tables.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one of the cross-bars, shown by Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of one of the longitudinal bars supporting the said cross-bars, and portions of the link and lever supporting the longitudinal bars.

Fig. 13 is an edge view of one of the tables, and shows the means for supporting and reciprocating the tables.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 10, 1919.

Serial No. 288,715.

Fig. 1 1 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 13, illustrating the operation of the re-.

ciprocating tables.

Fig. 15 is a section on line 1515 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, illustrating the operation of'jolting the. lowest table of the series.

Fig. 17 is 'a section on line 17-17of Fig 16.

I Fig. 18 is an enlargement of a portion of Fig. 19 is a section'on line 1919 of Fig. 18.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the figures.

The frame of the machine comprises two frame ends 1 and 2, and suitable longitudinal connections between said ends.

Journaled in bearings on the-frame ends is the longitudinal power shaft 1, which is driven by any suitable means, such as an electric motor, not shown, connected by a belt 5, with a pulley 6 fixed to the shaft.

Crushed ore, suitably screened, is delivered to the machine at one end of the frame by a chute 7, the ore'being preferably mixed with water and delivered in the form of pulp. Supported below' the chute 7 to receive the ore therefrom, is a feeding pan composed ofa triangular bottom 8, (Fig. 9), in which is a tapering outlet or slot 9, and a triangular curb 8 surrounding and projecting above the bottom. The feeding pan is supported in the inclined position shown by Figs. 1 and 6, the wider end of the slot 9 being at the higher end of the bottom. A screen 10,

(Fig. 9), preferably of wire fabric of aboutv one quarter inch mesh, rests on the bottom and covers the slot 9.

The feeding pan is fixed to and supported by an inclined table 12, which is the first of a descending series of similar tables, the other tables of the series being designated respectively 12*, 12, 12, 12 12 and 12. Each table is of oblong form and its inclination is crosswise, .or from one longitudinal edge to the other, any longitudinal section of the table being substantially horizontal.-

At the higher longitudinal edge, and at one end of each table are raised curb strips 13 and 14, permitting the escape of the pulp and rock only from the lower longitudmal edge 13 and of the metals from the opposite end 14 (Fig. 4), these being called respectively the discharging edge and the discharging end of the table.

The tables increase progressively in length from the first to the last of the series, the table 12 being relatively short, and each succeeding table being longer than the pre ceding table. In practice I prefer to make the table 12 four inches longer than the table 12, the table 12 one inch longer than the table 12, and each of the succeeding tables one inch longer than the preceding table. The tables are longitudinally reciprocated by the means hereinafter described, and the arrangement is such that when the tables are at rest, their ends having the curb strips 14 are substantially in vertical alinement, the opposite ends being stepped as shown by Fig. 2. Each table is provided with a series of longitudinal rifiles 16, extending from the curb strip 14 parallel with each other and with the longitudinal edges of the table, the top surfaces of the rifiles being longitudinally inclined so that the height of each decreases from its inner end joining the curb strip 14, to its outer end. Each rifile is thicker and longer than the next above it, as shown by Figs. 4 and 10.

The last table 12 is wider than the others and is provided with a greater number of riifles 16, characterized as above described.

I will now describe the means for longitudinally reciprocating the tables. The power shaft 4 is provided with a series of cams 18 fixed to said shaft and projecting therefrom at different angles, as indicated by Fig. 1. Each cam cocperates with the mechanism next described in reciprocating the tables. A description of the mechanism coiiperating with the first cam 18 of the series to reciprocate the table 12, will suffice for all the tables excepting 12.

To the table 12 are attached downwardly projecting stud's 20, (Figs. 6 and 13), separably engaged with sockets formed preferably by helical springs 21, supported by cupped holders 22, attached to transverse bars 23 extending crosswise of the table.

These cross bars are rigidly attached to a longitudinal bar 24 extending lengthwise of the table, said bars being notched as shown by Figs. 11 and 12, and interlocked at the notches. One end of the bar 24 is jointed at 26 to an oscillatory hanger or link 27, which is mounted to oscillate between collars (Fig. 8), on a tie rod 30 extending between and attached to the frame ends. The opposite end of the bar 24 is jointed to a lever 28 which is mounted to oscillate on the power shaft 4. One arm of the lever 28 projects above the power shaft and has a slot 31 in which is slidable a stud 32 held in contact with the perimeter of a cam 18 by a spring 33, connected at one end with the stud and at the other end with a tie rod 34 extending between the frame ends.

The revolution of the cam in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 13), which is the direction of rotation of the power shaft, from the position shown by Fig. 13 to that shown by Fig. 14, raises the stud 32 in the slot 31, and at the same time swings the lever 28 from the dotted line to the full line position shown by Fig. 14. When the cam leaves the stud 32 the spring 33, which is now under increased tension, pulls the lever 28 and the stud 32 back to the position shown by Fig. 13. The lever is thus oscillated and longitudinally reciprocates the bar 24 and the table 12, the link 27 oscillating in unison with the lever 28.

I prefer to rotate the power shaft about one hundred times per minute, the table being reciprocated at a corresponding rate.

The length of the reciprocating movement of each table after the first, is greater than that of the preceding table, this being preferably eflected by making each cam 18 after the first, longer than the preceding cam. The last table 12 of the series is considerably wider than each of the other tables, so that it is supported by two links 27 (Fig. 10), and two levers 28 (Fig. 1), corresponding to the levers 28 and coiiperating with two cams 18. As shown by Figs. 16 and 17, the levers 28 are provided with slots 36 through which the power shaft 4 passes. The said slots permit the cams 18 to raise the lovers 28 endwise while swinging them, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 16. When the cams release the levers,

the latter drop endwise to the full line position. Provision is thus made for giving oneend' of the table 12 a rapid up and down or jolting mot-ion, while it is being horizontally reciprocated.

Journaled in hearings on the frame ends are rolls or drums 40 and 41 extending lengthwise of the frame, and supporting an endless canvas belt or apron 42. The upper stretch of the apron extends across the frame and moves in the direction of the arrow as in Fig. 2. The rolls 40 and 41 are driven by a crossed belt 43, running on a pulley 44 on the power shaft, and on a pulley 45 on the shaft of the roll 40, and a sprocket chain 46' connecting two sprocket wheels on the shafts of the rolls 40 and 41. The upper stretch of the apron is preferably supported between the rolls 40 and 41 by an intermediate idle roll 47, adapted to limit the sagging of said upper stretch. The idle roll is preferably supported adjustably by bearings 48 (Figs. 18 and 19), swiveled in the ears of forked yokes 49 carried by brackets 50. Said brackets are provided with studs 51 slidable in inclined slots 52 in plates 53 which are bolted to bars 54 forming members of the frame ends 1 and 2.

Operation.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 10, the lower or discharging edge of each table, excepting the table 12, overhangs the higher edge of the next table of the series, so that pulp falling from the discharging edge 13 (Fig. 4c) of each table is received on the higher portion of the next table.

As shown by Fig. 2, one end of each table, excepting the table 12, is offset inwardly from the corresponding end of the next table of the series. These offset ends are discharging ends 1 1 of the tables, and owing to their ofiset arrangement pulp falling from the discharging end of each table drops upon the next table near its discharging end. The ore or pulp is delivered by the chute 7 to the feeding pan, which is reciprocate-d with the first table 12 and is spaced above the latter. The screen 10, (Fig. 3) reciprocated with the feeding pan, causes an initial separation of the heavier from the lighter metals, the heavier metals such as lead, passing through the wider end portion of the slot and being deposited on the table 12 above the first rifle 16. The width of the slot varies from about five-eighths of an inch at the I higher end of the pan to about one-sixteenth of an inch at the lower end. The slot extends crosswise of the path of movement of the pan, and the ore particles are asserted in their passage throughthe slot, in accordance with their specific gravities, the heavier particles passing through the wider portions of the slot, and the smaller through the nar rower portions. The pulp drops upon the portion of the table 12 which is provided with therifles 16, and is spread or distributed partly by the inclination of the table, and partly by the reciprocating motion of the table. The rifles are shorter than the table, so that the table has a plain or uninterrupted surface at one end of the series of rifles.

The crushed rock or non-metallic material contained in the pulp is carried by the water over the rifles and passes from the table at the longitudinal discharging edge 13 The metals accumulated along the rifles 16,

are caused by the reciprocating motion of.

the table to move on to the plain surface of the table and obliquely toward the intersection of the edge 13 and the end LP. The heaviest metals fall over the end 14 and drop upon the apron 42, and the lighter metals fall over the edge 13" and drop. upon the next table. The shortest rifle 16 temporarily arrests the heaviest metal such as lead, and the longest rifle temporarily arrests the lightest metal such as zinc, metals of an intermediate specific gravity being arrested by the intermediate rifle or rifles.

The amplitude of the reciprocating, movements of the table is increased by the springs 21 receiving the studs 20 on the tables, these springs and studs permitting additional play of the table and a swirling or gyrating mo tion which is effective in precipitating on the surface of the table the slimes contained in the pulp, so that the slimes creep along the surface of the table instead of floating on the surface of the pulp.

It will now be seen that a partial separation and concentration of the ore contained in the pulp occurs on the first table, all of the rock and some of the lighter metals passing off on to the next table, and some of the heavier metals passing from the'end of the first table on to the apron 4:2.

The action on the second table 12 is similar to that on the first table, but the increased length ofthe reciprocating movement of the second table carries the heavier metals enouglr farther to cause them to pass over the discharging end of the table, which is longer than the preceding table, as above stated.

The action on each of the succeeding tables will be understood from the foregoing,

each table having an increased length and a length of movement greater than that of the preceding table, to compensatefor its increased length.- V

The rifles on each table are longer than those of the preceding table, may be seenby comparing Fig. 5 with Fig. 6, showing the first'two tables, this, differencebeing carried out throughout the series of tables.

The last table 12 receives all of the rock and some of the metals that have passed over the preceding tables. This table is provided at its lower longitudinal edge with a curb strip 55 of sufficient height to arrest the rock fragments'and cause them to pass over the discharging end ofthe table on to the table 42.

The jolting or up and down motion of the table 12 causes a further precipitation of the slimes in the pulp reaching this table.

Each of the described tables performs its part of the concentrating operation, and each delivers the metals separated thereon to the apron 42, the metals being thus graded according to their specific gravities, and deposited thus graded upon the upper stretch of the apron, which carries the graded metals to the front of the machine, and there deposits them upon the floor, or into receptacles arranged on the floor to receive them.

The object of the adjustable roll 47 is to raise the upper stretch of the apron at a point near its discharging portion, and thus decrease the inclination of the delivering por tion of the apron when the roll 47 is at the highest adjustment shown by dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 18, the portion of the upper stretch at the right of the roll a7 being nearly horizontal, so that it carries off the rock in the direction of the arrow 3 (Fig. 3), and at the same time permits the water to flow in the opposite direction and run off from the lowest portion of the upper stretch.

I claim: I

1. An ore concentrating machine comprising a descending series of inclined tables, each having a lower longitudinal edge overhanging the higher edge of the next table, and each being adapted to discharge pulp from its lower longitudinal edge and from one end, means for longitudinally reciprocating said tables, an endless apron supported under the series of tables with its upper stretch in position'to receive metals delivered by the tables and convey the same outwardly under the tables, and means for progressively moving said apron.

2. An ore concentrating machine substantially as specified in claim 1, comprising also an end table at the lower end of the series which is reciprocated like the other tables, and is provided with a curb strip at its lower longitudinal edge, means being provided for jolting said table.

3. An ore concentrating machine substantially as specified by claim 1, each of said tables having a curb strip at its higher longitudinal edge and at one of its inclined ends, causing discharge from its opposite edge and end, a series of graduated riliies, and a plane surface between the outer ends of the riflies and the discharging end.

4:. An ore concentrating machine substantially as specified by claim 1, each table being supported by springs permitting an increased amplitude of movement of the table.

5. An ore concentrating machine substantially as specified by claim 1, the tables being of gradually increasing lengths, and the table-reciprocating means having provisions for giving each table after the first, a movetially as specified by claim 1, the first table of the series being provided with a feeding pan having a tapering slot, arranged to deliver material to said table.

7. An ore concentrating machine substantially as specified by claim 1, the first table of the series being provided with a feeding pan having a tapering slot, arranged to deliver material to said table, and provided with a screen covering said slot.

8. An ore concentrating machine substantially as specified by claim 1, the upper stretch of said apron being supported between its end portions by an idle roll which is adjustable to vary the position of a portion of said upper stretch.

9. An ore concentrating machine comprising frame ends, a power shaft extending between and journaled in said ends, and provided with a series of cams arranged at different angles, oscillatory levers fulcrumed on the power shaft, and having slotted arms, studs movable in the slots of said arms, springsengaged with said studs and with a fixed tie rod, and holding the studs in yielding contact with the cams, longitudinal bars extending across the frame, and jointed to said levers, oscillatory links jointed to said levers and to another fixed tie rod, and inclined tables supported by the longitudinal bars, said bars being reciprocated by the cams, springs and levers and reciprocating the tables.

10. An ore concentrating machine substantially as specified by claim 9, the said cams and tables being of difierent lengths, and each table being adapted to deliver material from one of its ends.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

NATHANIEL A-.- sTRATToN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing themommissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

